1. Choosing the right school: Tips for good college fit
Erika Nash – counselor, lewis-palmer high school

2. Where to start??
There are approximately colleges and universities in the United States alone!
Lots of variation in location, size, cost, opportunities, etc.

3. Online tools
Naviance college search: enter through LPHS/PRHS homepage
College Board BigFuture:

4. College representative visits
Most visits to high schools happen in the fall
Students can see a list of visits and sign up in Naviance
District 38 college fair: October

5. Tips for getting the most out of college rep visits/college fairs
Research schools on your own first
Come prepared with a list of questions: admissions, academic programs, student life, athletics, etc.
Be prepared to talk about what you’re looking for in a school
Keep the rep’s contact info for questions later

6. Campus visits Check out virtual campus tours
Try to schedule your visit at a time when classes are in session. Be sure to see the inner workings of academic buildings.
If arranged ahead of time, your student may be able to sit in a class
Focus on academic programs and ask questions: class sizes, graduation rate, employment rate, etc.

7. College Visits Cont.
Ask about student resources: academic help, medical and mental health, campus safety
Try to get a feel for the community surrounding campus
Talk to students on campus!
Pick up a student newspaper
Document specifics from your visit

8. Important considerations
Tuition and fees
Graduation rate
Scholarships/grants
Major, degree, and employment
Debt

9. Tuition, fees, and other costs
New facilities/amenities often equate to rising tuition and student fees
Schools usually take out loans to pay for these
Living accommodations can highly impact the cost
Consider cost of off campus living for the town
Meal plans: sometimes less is more
Textbooks for elective courses

10. Graduation rates
Always research these – especially if a school is offering a really good deal
Many published grad rates are 6-year
Don’t include transfer students
FAFSA provides graduation rates for the colleges you select
Of students who graduate college, only about 50% of do so in 4 years

11. Scholarships and grants
Once accepted, there is usually automatic consideration for scholarships and grants
“Undermatched” schools tend to offer more merit- based scholarship money
Do your research!
College Opportunity Fund (COF)
Other scholarship resources:
Naviance
Fastweb.com

12. Major, degree, and employment
Within a career field, not much variation in starting or middle salary, regardless of specific school attended (payscale.com)
College degree isn’t always closely related to ultimate career field
Ivy League schools generally have undergrad acceptance rates of 5-10%
Many students choose to pursue continuing education degrees through highly selective schools instead

13. Debt and repayment
Student loans are “good debt” – but not a degree at any cost
Congress mandated schools to have a net price calculator on their websites (sometimes very well hidden!)
Federal gov’t recommendations:
No more than 15% of income to make loan payments
Total undergrad borrowing should be no more than expected first year salary

14. Resources Naviance College Search
College Board BigFuture College Search:
College/major/salary information:
Selectivity, cost, graduation/retention rates:
College Opportunity Fund: cof.college-assist.org
Scholarships:
College Unbound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students by Jeffrey Selingo